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Monday, November 18, 2013

Jamie Asks: What Is My Problem?

For the past week I've been in an epic reading slump where two pages read feels like an accomplishment. It's infuriating.

The thing is...I'm not a person who reads when I don't want to. If I feel burnt out on reading or feel like I just want to do something else for a few days..I do it. I don't feel compelled to read if I don't want to. I might always have a book with me, just in case, but I might not read for a couple days. And that's okay with me. I don't want to force it if I'm burnt out.

But the thing this time around is that I can't tell if it's the current book I'm reading (The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert) or if it's ME. I can't tell if I'm just super stressed with job hunting and other things or if I'm burnt out and I don't know it.

The book is quite slow, yes, but I don't mind that typically. I don't have any opinions of it really at about 18% in so I don't know if I want to put it down or not. I just seem to not want to pick it up and I hate that I can't figure out if it is the book or maybe I'm not in the mood for that TYPE of read or if it's just ME and no matter what book I'd pick up would be the same.

Does my dilemma make sense?

So how do you figure out if it's just the book you are reading or if it's YOU (stressed, preoccupied, burnt out, etc.)?? I'd love to hear your methods and tips!

13 comments:

Usually if I'm in a reading slump, I think first thing I do is try to read something else besides what I'm currently trying to read. If I can't get into another book either, then it's probably just me. That's my take anyways. Sometimes I'll even try to reread something I know I loved. Perhaps that'll get me interested in reading again.

This is pretty much exactly my process. If I'm not into it, I try to read something else. If that doesn't work, I try re-reading something that I loved and wanted to re-read anyway. If that doesn't work, I just take a break. Actually I ended up taking an almost entire week off reading the week before last because I was feeling a lot of anxiety over some real life things. I wanted to read, but I knew I needed to focus on real life.

Truly you're the only one who knows, but it sounds like this might not be the book for you--at least right now.

I've got to agree with Amy. Whenever I'm having some difficulties, I try to read something that I've read before and that I love reading (the Harry Potter Series or Narnia, something light) and that tends to either reignite my love or just makes me realize that maybe I need to take some time away from reading. Hope you feel better soon! It's always hard when you feel like something you love to do is putting a strain on ya!

Reading something else is a great idea. I do it all the time if something I'm reading isn't working. But I can also say when I am overwhelmed, reading seems more like a chore than a pleasure to me. That's part of the reason I've stopped taking books for review at one of my blogs. I want time to read for me; time to simply read all those books for the past three years I've been dying to read--when they were actually new--and not read to someone else's schedule.

It's probably stress. I'm in the same boat. But sometimes picking up an old favorite and re-reading it can help A. get you out of a slump or B. just make you feel better. Picked up Ender's Game and re-read for the 2nd time and am picking up a graphic novel adaptation of another book (Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children) tonight.

Oh, I have this issue constantly. Recently, I've discovered my way out of it was heaping a pile of really thin books on myself and scurrying my way through those instead. Sometimes, longer books can just be a chore because I don't have as much time. I've always had this problem, actually. I've set books aside for months, and even years, because of it. It is truly annoying. =/ Though, I can relate, sometimes it is hard to tell whether it's just your current situation or if it's the book's fault. I'm one of those people that will try and always have a book on hand, but that doesn't mean I read every day, either. And I think that's really okay. :)

After months and month of going through all 5 Song of Ice & Fire books (Game Of Thrones series) with 1000+ pages each, I felt exhausted! I didn't want to stop reading though because I was on a roll so I decided to switch to really thin books. I read 3 in a month and felt so satisfied that I could finish a book fast and move on! Now I feel i'm ready to pick up another longer book. Sometimes our brain needs a break!

Did you just finish a really good book before the one you are currently reading? I sometimes have to read something I know is not going to take much brain power after a particularly intense experience.

it might be the book. when i feel like that, or stressed or like shit, i try to pick up a book in a series i already know i like. since the characters are old and familiar, i don't have to worry about understanding a whole new world and whole new people. that helps.

but also, there's nothing anywhere that says you HAVE to be reading all the time. most people don't. most people don't have time for it. so if you feel like you need a break, then take one! you know you love reading, so you can get back into it!

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